Community Spotlight: Grand River Brewery

Grand River Brewing is committed to producing fresh craft brewed beers of outstanding quality for discerning beer drinkers. Our goal is to produce full flavoured beers with alcohol contents less than 5% of today’s population concerned about over indulgence. These beers stand out and change people’s thoughts on how beers should and can taste.

Grand River Brewing’s Historic Building

One of Ontario’s finest Craft Brewery’s located in historic Galt along the Grand River.

Grand River Brewing is located at 295 Ainslie St. in downtown Cambridge Ontario. We are situated in a historical building which was the original home of the Galt Knife Company, the manufacturer of industrial knives for the last 100 years. The building is typical of industrial buildings built at the beginning of the 20th century, being of red double brick construction with many large windows, which bathe the interior with wonderful natural light. The location gives the building great street presence and we are taking advantage of the windows, by situating the brew house right behind the front ones so it will be visible to the passing motorists.

Extensive renovations have been carried out, in order to make the building suitable as a brewery, while still retaining the unique character, which makes it so eye catching. Post and beam construction, with open rafters in the brew house are complimented by massive Victorian trusses in the high ceiling fermentation room and the whole interior is bathed in sunlight, as previously mentioned giving it a wonderful warm ambiance. By putting our own stamp on it, while still maintaining the historical character of the building, we hope that area residents will soon start referring to it as their local brewery.

The brewery has a large meeting room with slate floors and a lovely antique wood bar that was purchased in Wisconsin. The walls are lined with several antique church pews to provide seating for special events. The former office and walk in safe in the building have become the retail store area. The coolers for the growlers have actually been placed in the old payroll cash vault.

Meet The Owners of Grand River Brewery

Bob Hanenberg and Jane Southgate.

What inspired you to start your own brewery? (Bob) "I was looking for a career to take me into retirement. I home brewed for over 30 years off and on. I had hired a consultant early on who became Grand River Brewery’s first brewmaster and together he and I worked out the recipes as we went. That was 12 years ago, and that was when we first started working on the business plan. At that time, the craft brewing industry was just at the cusp.” “I had noticed what was happening in the market with craft beer and it was similar to what had happened with the wine brewing industry 25 years prior. Now, craft breweries are all over.”

How did you get into brewing commercially? (Bob)

Bob – “I bought the equipment at the end of 2005, then I left it in storage. We moved into this location right away after I bought the building in 2006. I had to get cleaning it up, so that took some time. Once we were in the building we were able to get set up and start brewing commercially.”

“The storefront has been open since the beginning, since June 2007 and our clientele consists of locals. We also sell to the LCBO, licensees and The Beer Store.” We also ship a little out to the east coast. The LCBO /grocery are our biggest client.

What do you do to stay involved in the community?

Jane – “We run some special events at this location which include renting out to beer clubs. We also have live music on the weekends, paint nights, vinyl nights, and euchre nights. All of these things help create a buzz regarding the things we have going on at the brewery and in the area... It’s sort of similar to a neighborhood pub, where friends get together with a bottle of their favourite beers.

The Dickies Original 874 Work Pant is a go-to option for Sam when he’s brewing and when he’s doing business. “They’re durable in the sense that they last based on their quality, but also durable in that they can move from one part of what you’re doing, brewing a batch of beer, to another part where you’re in front of 80 people in a fancy restaurant talking about your beer.”

What was the motivation behind starting a brewery at this location?

Bob – I was looking to still make some income after retirement! This is a family owned and operated business. At this time we have no succession planned yet. What was lacking in some of the beers you had tasted out there? And, what made you want to set out to get it right with your own blend? Speaking on the Industry: Right now, there are a lot of beers out there that are very good. It’s been important for us to spread our wings and get away from the mainstream. We wanted to experiment and try new things Jane- The High Baller Pumpkin Ale for instance and the Russian Gun (imperial stout), were the first we came out with. Then a Curmudgeon IPA, which is an English style beer (IPA = India Pale Ale). And they do really well.

Can you describe what makes your brewery unique? (I.e. staff, equipment, how much beer is produced, marketing, and any other information that sets your brewery apart?)

Bob – “Our location and building on the water is a draw to a lot of locals who enjoy sitting out near the water. We are very proud of the product we make here, we think it’s great even though it might be similar to what other craft breweries are doing.”

“The taste of our beer is unique because of the water we use to brew our beer. It’s natural water out of the wells. All of the greatest beers in the world are unique because of the water they use. We use artisan city water.”

Dickies is mainly known as being a work-wear company. With that being said, what is your favorite feature about Dickies clothing that helps you get your job done? Their durability is great. The fit is great. I really love the jeans (Bob).

What is your favourite article from Dickies Canada and how do you wear your Dickies at work?

Really like the way the jeans fit, I’ve worn them for years. I also really like the black winter coat I’ve got and their vest is really great quality too. I wear these work clothes all the time when I’m out back working.

What are 3 words you would use to describe the Dickies Canada brand?

Quality, stylish, and durability. Where can GRB beer fans go to find out more about your products and upcoming events?

GRB is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and of course our website. We like to let people know when our special events are coming up and to get involved. We support a lot of the City run events such as junior achievement and Scottish Games Festival. We try to do our best to be involved with the community.

When is the busiest time of year for GRB?

The busiest time is Spring until Fall. We’re coming up on our busiest season right now.

The New Grand River Brewing Brewmaster

What is your name?

Name: Geoff Wiseman

What inspired you to become a brewmaster?

Geoff - “During my 4th year at The University of Guelph I made beer for credit. I was in a course called: Food product development class. My group used potatoes as an adjunct and we monitored the fermentation of the product. It was from that moment that I simply got hooked.”

So how did you get here, to this spot in your life right now?

Geoff – “After University, I had taken a job at Labbatt’s (in Mississauga) where I was working in their innovation department. Then, I worked at a brewery in Halifax, came back to Ontario where I worked at Mill Street Brewing. While at Mill Street, this resulted in becoming a head brewer there. After that, I came here to Grand River Brewing. (Totaling 8 years experience in the industry).

Education Background:

University of Guelph – Food Science Diploma in Brewing – at The Institute of Brewing and Distilling – which is the former brewers guild. (one of the professional brewer’s designations). Located in England.

What do you love most about your job?

Geoff - “No two days are ever the same. I love coming in and smelling the “mash” which is the mixture of malt and water. Just the overall environment and positive workplace, and the people who are eager to make beer and also make the best beer possible.”

Describe the perfect beer for you.

Geoff – “My perfect beer is a hoppy IPA (India Pale Ale) that can be enjoyed on a patio. Perfection.”

Are you working on any new flavours we can look forward to?

Geoff - “I’ve got a hoppy IPA going in the back right now, were going to be packing it into a keg this afternoon.”

“We’re also working on some new beers and innovation in the upcoming 6 months. I just took over as brewmaster here at Grand River Brewery and I have lots of ideas as to where I want to take the brand while still keeping in line with it’s renowned Grand River flavor.”

Where can we find Grand River Brewery Beer? (Countries, shops) etc.?

Geoff – “Right now, we sell our products in the LCBO and I would love to see us get more listings out there, but it’s hard to get into the LCBO. At this time, you can only sell 2-3 products through the LCBO and of course, at our storefront location right here.”

What do you like best about wearing Dickies products while on the job?

Geoff – “It’s comfortable, it moves with you, and it’s water resistant. The pants also dry quickly, and this can be a pretty wet environment. I wear my coveralls every day while I’m working in packaging and they hold up great.”

Shop Favourites

Bob, Jane and the team at Grand River Brewery choose Dickies workwear for performance, durability and comfort. Check out some of their favourites and grab your own.

Grand River Brewery

A Cambridge, Ontario Craft Brewery wears Dickies as part of their everyday workwear. They are committed to producing fresh craft brewed beers of outstanding quality for discerning beer drinkers.

Outdoor Adventure Guide Infographic

No matter where you’re going or what you plan to do, having fun outside requires the right kind of clothes and equipment. The right surfing gear (surfboard, wet-suit and maybe a surfboard leash if you’re new) can have a lot to do with your success on the waves. Likewise, other outdoor activities require the right kind of gear, and if you aren't an expert, it may be hard to know what to purchase.

Luckily, the infographic below is a guide to help beginners and experts alike find the right equipment that will let them fully enjoy their favourite hobbies or the trips that they’ve been planning.

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Outdoor Adventure Guide Infographic | Dickies Canada

If you're heading outdoors for a weekend of adventure then you need to prepare! Check out this infographic for tips on what to wear & pack for your trip!

Give all measurements in inches. If your measurements are between sizes, order the larger size. For greatest accuracy, have someone take your measurements rather than yourself. The tape measure should be pulled snug, not tight. Check the size scale of all garments being ordered to ensure that all measurements were taken at the proper points.

MEN'S PANTS, JEANS AND BIB OVERALLS

WAIST is taken at the top of the hipbone over shirt (not over pants). Tape should only be held snug, do not hold tape tight.

INSEAM is taken from the base of the crotch to the top of the shoe or boot. For jeans, add one inch.

It is advisable to ask the person being measured how he or she wears their pants. Not everyone wears their pants or jeans the same length or height on their hips.

MEN'S COVERALLS

CHEST SIZE is taken at the fullest point of the chest, keeping tape under arms and around shoulder blades. This measurement should be taken over clothing, preferably over same garment or types of garments to be worn with the coveralls.

LENGTH
We suggest using your same inseam measurement for pants, but subtracting 1 to 2 inches to accommodate Dickies lower crotch construction.

MEN'S SHIRTS

NECK measurement is the circumference of the neck as illustrated.

SLEEVE LENGTH is measured by placing one end of the tape at the bottom of the collar at the center of the back and marking the distance around the elbow to the bottom of the wrist. It is often helpful to have the arm slightly bent.

CHEST is taken at the fullest point of the chest, keeping tape under arms and around shoulder blades. Hold tape level and firmly but not tight.

JACKETS

CHEST SIZE is taken at the fullest point of the chest, keeping tape under arms and around shoulder blades. This measurement should be taken over clothing, preferably over garments or types of garments to be worn with the jacket.

SLEEVE LENGTH is measured by placing one end of the tape at the bottom of the collar at the center of the back and marking the distance around the elbow to the outer edge of the wrist.

Men's Fit Guide | How to Measure Men's Clothing | Dickies

We, the Timeless - Styling with Dickies

Quick Intro: My name is Graeme Drummond and I am the co-founder of a men’s lifestyle website and creative agency called We, the Timeless. My cousin Curtis and I are based out of Calgary Canada.

In your opinion what is the signature Canadian style? What is quintessential about Canadian style?

That’s such a tough question because we are such a diverse country. You get a bit of everything here and that’s a good thing. If I have to pick one thing about style that is Canadian it’s how much seasonality affects things. We all keep half our clothes tucked away half the year. As we speak all my summer clothes are in storage. The weather always dictates what we wear and forces our wardrobes to be very versatile.

What style advice would you give your followers?

I have two. They are simple and speak for themselves:

1. Don’t leave the house until you’re 100% confident in what you’re wearing.
2. Wear what you like, don’t worry about other opinions.

What do you enjoy most about being a prominent online influencer?

I enjoy that we have built a platform that helps people. We are at a point now where we have a voice. Now, in the grand scheme of the Internet, it is a small voice but I’m proud of what we’ve built. That said, we just want to help guys become more confident in everything they do. From what they wear to how they carry themselves, we want to empower men to be the best version of themselves.

It has also been very rewarding to be able to leverage our following to help the smaller brands that we work with. Through our platform, their incredible products and ideas are seen and appreciated by a wide audience.

What is your favorite piece from Dickies Canada and how do you style it into your various looks?

I love Dickies Flannels. As you can see in the photos from my article on layering, theyare the perfect anchor to any look. Your eyes are drawn to them, but not in an over the top, obnoxious way. Also, you can really dress them up or down. The fabric is nice and thick so they are a great layering piece in the winter as they do provide warmth. My only concern is too keep the colours of the flannels from clashing with the other parts of the look, but that isn’t too difficult as the colours Dickies uses for the flannels are staple colours.

What are 3 words you would use to describe the Dickies Canada brand? Dickies is mainly known as being a work-wear company. How well do you think Dickies clothing transcends this reputation to become every-day clothing?

Quality, Dependable, Classic. And obviously, Dickies makes a lot of clothing for job sites, but they make so many stylish pieces that can blend into any wardrobe. The nice thing about having a workwear background is that there is a focus on quality and durability throughout the company. Work clothes need to hold up, and Dickies takes that approach with their lifestyle pieces as well. At this point, it’s just a matter of opening the consumer’s eyes to the versatility of the product range, and I’m very confident that will happen.

We, the Timeless | Dickies Canada

Bloggers from We, The Timeless try our Dickies Canada flannel shirt and style it perfectly. Here's what they had to say.

Vanessa's Dickies Style

We paired up with Toronto-based fashion trend-setter, V-Webs to discuss her Dickies style. She shared with us some great photos from her instagram and let us interview her about her unique take on fashion & how Dickies fits into it all. Here is what V-Webs had to say in her own words:

What is the signature Canadian style?

Well, I hate winter, so trying to be stylish in minus 10-degree weather is never easy. In the area of Toronto where I live, people do a great job of making winter fashion look cool. Also - Every season is beanie season in Canada, and I love that people break out the shorts in April!

What style advice would you give your followers?

Dress for yourself and not for anyone else. There are no rules against girls shopping in the men’s section!

What do you enjoy most about being a prominent online influencer?

I love photography, so any excuse to take style-inspired photos is awesome! I love being able to share my style with my followers, and in turn getting inspiration from them. I love using social media platforms to see various trends from around the world.

It’s also motivating to have a voice in the LGBTQ community, so that younger girls have a someone that represents and understands what they're going through. I'm a regular person just like them- When I was younger and coming out I didn’t always dress the way I wanted to because I was lacking confidence. As I got older, I turned to social media and was happy to find lots of LGBTQ representation, and female empowerment in the blogs and accounts I followed.

What's your favourite piece from Dickies Canada?

Hands down the classic Dickies Original 874 skinny work pant. They are the easiest bottoms to pair with any outfit, they have so many colour options and can be worn casually or dressy. They literally last forever!

What three words would you use to describe Dickies Canada?

Comfortable, stylish, & quality!

Dickies is known as a workwear brand. How well do you think Dickies clothing trancends to becoming every-day clothing?

Dickies no longer solely targets the stereotypical male blue collar worker. Females now represent a larger percentage of trade workers, so it is great to see a female-specific line that provides them with male-inspired clothing to fit their bodies. Dickies has just released a skate line as well, showing how the brand is diverse and expanding their target customer base.

V-Webs Dickies Style | Dickies Canada

Spring & Summer Camping & Fishing

This winter was a doozy, and we’re ready to get back outside. Thankfully, spring is right around the corner. With spring comes back to back weekend trips filled with endless hiking, fishing, and camping—are you ready?

We’ve compiled a couple of quick lists to help you pack for your upcoming outdoor activities. Now, you can check off everything you need for camping and fishing as the weather turns nicer.

Packing Checklist for Camping

Although the weather has become a bit more forgiving, it’s still not quite summer. Having the right gear will help you stay comfortable, no matter the weather.

Quality Hiking Boots
A quality pair of hiking boots is necessary for any hike—no matter how difficult. Without them, you can compromise more than just your comfort. Try our Escape Hiker Boots for comfort, protection, and performance for your camping adventures this spring.

Quilted Jacket
It’s only spring—the temperatures aren’t as nice as we want them to be just yet. You can’t go wrong with a quilted jacket, like this one. You can use this as a final layer for the day time and build on top of it for cooler nights.

Heavyweight Tee
No matter if you’re hanging out at the campground or headed for the trails, you can’t go wrong in a heavyweight tee. You’ll give your body the protection it needs from the elements while staying effortlessly comfortable.

Performance Shorts
Not any ol’ pair of short will do when camping. Get yourself a pair of Performance Shorts from our Dickies Pro Collection, designed for every condition you’ll endure—water, dirt, and excessive wear.

Packing Checklist for Fishing

The ice has melted and the fish are out—there’s no better time than the spring to go fishing. Before you rush out on your first trip of the season, be sure you pack these essentials.

Water Resistant Jacket
Layers are extremely important for this beloved spring-time activity. The golden rule of layering for fishing trips is to have the last and final layer be composed of water-resistant materials. Our Pro Glacier Extreme Puffer is the perfect choice. It’s thin, but that doesn’t mean it won’t do the trick. With just one layer under this jacket, you’ll be good to go—no matter what the day throws your way.

Quality Cargo Pants
There’s a lot that goes into a successful fishing trip. Make sure you have it all right by your side in a pair of quality cargo pants, like these. They’re designed for more than just convenience. They’ll keep you protected while you reel in your big catch!

Moisture Wicking Boots
Once your toes get cold or wet it’s game over; you’ll be uncomfortable for the rest of the day. In a pair of moisture wicking boots, you’ll be safe, warm, and protected throughout the day, on the boat or on the shore!

Insulated Overalls
For complete protection on your fishing trip, invest in a pair of insulated overalls. You’ll get serious protection and warmth from our Duck Insulated Bib Overalls so you can enjoy your trip without any fuss.

Now that your clothing is ready for your next fishing or camping trip, all you have to do it get your tent and tackle ready. Oh, and good some spring holidays too!

Packing for Camping & Fishing | Dickies Canada

With the change of seasons you'll need to be prepared for any type of weather conditions while you're camping or fishing. Here we suggest some "Must Have" items to take with you!